Dorine Mugisha

Spotlight.

INTRODUCTION

Dorine Mugisha is an international performer, instructor and retreat leader. Originally Tanzanian, born and raised in France, living in the UK and having travelled over 25 countries, she is inspired by an array of cultures and speaks 4 languages. She believes in the power of dance through feeling first and is particularly keen on seeing more representation of plus size bodies in that space. Although she grew up training in Hip Hop choreography and learning a variety of styles, the dance style she resonates with the most is punking/whacking as this is when she feels the freest.

She has a degree in Law & Sociology, experience working in the charity sector for over 10 years and recently obtained her IAFPD Primary Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Coaching. Combining her passion for travelling, dance and bringing people together, she created Body Movement.me to share with diverse people the power that movement has in building not only your physical wellbeing, but especially your mental wellbeing. Whether you are attending a retreat, a class, an event, or wanting a bespoke occasion, the aim is to recharge, reconnect and renew you.

INTERVIEW

How did you get into dance/choreography/performance? What initially inspired you?

What a big question! I've always loved dancing. I remember performing for family and friends in the living room. Choreographing routines with my friends to Britney, Janet, Christina etc.. So in that way, I can't ever remember not dancing, creating, making up routines. I used to watch MTV with my sister and try to recreate the routines we saw. We also did that with dance movies so I probably could still do the combos from Honey and You Got Served.

I am now inspired to ordinary things around me, ‘real life’ - people, places, situations, life, feelings. There is already so much beauty there.

What themes do you tend to interrogate in your work?

Identity, culture and belonging are the themes I tend to investigate. I like to investigate my own life - it's like therapy. That tends to be my starting point and then I start interrogating how others feel about the different themes that may have come up in my findings. It has also helped me connect with others with various experiences: differences and similarities. I have also struggled with my mental health and as someone who sways between being hyper focused or getting easily distracted, my work is a space to explore this, understand myself and feel more grounded.

I am also very interested in diversity and representation in dance. As a big black woman who loves this art and have received ongoing negative comments, I think it's important to showcase that there is not one way of being " a dancer/ performer" and that there is space.

What is your favourite project you've ever worked on and why?

My first concept video was a fun, exciting project which taught me a lot about the timing required to make things happen and the different factors to take into account. It was exciting to choreograph for other people whilst also including myself. The idea came up one evening when I wanted to do a piece to represent melanated queens (after repeatedly listening to Janelle Monae’s album) so I also knew I wanted the concept to be in black and white. I then tried some movement choreography on my partner (who does not dance at all haha) to see if it would look good (and it did). From then, I reached out to some people I had been connected with and we then started rehearsing. What also made it fun was some of the rehearsal locations were very random spaces. I brought Alex, my talented photographer friend to film it. I found it even more exciting that she wasn’t a dancer so brought a different angle and perspective with the visuals which were even better than I imagined!

You can view the final video below:

Another "life changing" opportunity was Open Art Surgery I did with Dance Base / Tony Mills. My mentors Jonzi D and Jane Sekonya were an incredible support. It was the first time I created a solo and since then, I have been developing that piece and had the opportunity of performing it at Breakin Convention in London, Aberdeen, Paris, Tanzania and will be performing it at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I’m very grateful for that experience as if it weren't for it, I would have never thought I could be a solo artist. It was also in some way the push I needed to trust myself to explore a career as a full time artist.

What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into dance/choreography/performance and the creative industries?

Reach out to people whose work you are interested. Ask questions. There is never a "right time" to start. Believe in yourself, trust that you will always be growing. Trust your gut - if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. If it does, lean in. (But also, remember life begins outside of your comfort zone). Not every teacher is the right one for you. Not all styles are right for you. Investigate, try things out, and be honest with yourself. You got this.